Regional 2 North
Percy Park RFC 11 v Durham City RFC 14
Decimation in the ranks
In times gone past the Roman Legions used decimation as a form of punishment. Whatever Rugby god is looking over Percy Park at the moment has obviously seen fit to reduce our playing numbers. Our injury list is extraordinary. From what might appear to be doom and gloom there is more than one ray of sunshine. Saturday’s results might not have gone our way but we were able to field two very competitive sides. And that is testament to all the hard work that goes in the background and showcases Percy Park’s strength and foresight in developing and encouraging rugby union in North Tyneside. That statement was exhibited (in part) by the performances of four young players who have taken the opportunity to demonstrate their desire to play first team rugby. Nathan Coxon did not look out of place in the centre nor did Dan Jackson on the wing, Sam McDonald came off the bench and put in one try saving tackle that had the faithful on their feet and who can forget the tenacity of one ‘o’ Combe to turn over the ball in key areas of the pitch. When we are all up back and running Coach Ash Smith will be grinning like the ‘Shields cat’, the future is there to be seen and he has a club of players wanting to wear that famous black and white jersey. Before we get to that place of nirvana it’s going to be an anxiety driven bumpy road.
Percy Park started well enough with a strong run from scrum half Charley Miller placing his team neatly in field and within Durham territory. Fly half Toby Davison placing a canny little kick behind the defensive line. Durham having to contemplate a throw in their 22. Although successfully cleared, the pressure stayed on, with Park playing some flowing rugby. An attacking line out, followed by a catch and drive, presented Park with their first scoring opportunity, as Toby Davison floated a cross kick to the bottom corner and into the try scoring zone. Full back Tom Robinson fractionally beaten to the touch.
Durham edged into the contest and for a while the game was stuck around the half way line, until they made a break to the left of the ruck. The away side were behind. Ross Young made a good tackle but the grubber had gone. Fractions. In the chase Durham knocked on and Park had the scrum on the 5. We went for ground and positioned for the clearing kick. As Toby Davison received the ball, behind the try line, the tall Durham 8 was on top and the ball cannoned off his hands; dropping invitingly for the supporting player to pounce and score the first try of the game. Thirteen minutes in and 7 nil to the visitors.
Percy Park continued to press looking for that response. Charley Miller was doing well moving his team left and right until his opposite number cleared him out. Penalty given for ‘playing the 9’ presenting Park with a good shot at goal. Unfortunately Toby Davison pulled the kick to the right narrowly missing the three points.
We had dominance in the scrum yet we couldn’t quite get the advantage our efforts deserved. On their ball Durham were able to scramble and kick away. On our ball we also had a tendency to kick. It was becoming a little frustrating. Albeit we had a moment where the referee chastised hooker Dan Shuttleworth for interference on the line out call provoking grins from both parties. I think there maybe a little bit of history there. On the occasion we took the ball against the head we lost it again in the midfield. Exasperating for supporter and player alike. That annoyance spilling over into a little melee.
The game stayed that way. From a penalty Park kicked straight into touch giving the ball back to Durham. Lack of cohesion was beginning to cost in opportunity. On the positive side Durham weren’t making a great job of attacking our line. Chris Reekie, Sam Digman, Dan Shuttleworth and Jake Smith were putting a shift in. The game ‘see sawed’ to the half until a Durham lock pulled Jake Smith back as he chased down. That lack of thought manufacturing a scoring moment for the home side. A needless act as there appeared to be no immediate danger from that position. A kick in front was a gift and duly taken. 3 points to 7 at the turnaround.
During the half time period an official deputation requested that we put our floodlights on. The response was a sign of rugby times…no LUC certificate meant no lights. Although the matter is in hand, new RFU legislation is beginning to bite. A shrug of the shoulders and we were back to the middle and the game continued. Amazingly everybody could still see. Although there was another whinge. A blue and yellow whine that we didn’t provide towels to dry the ball before a throw in. Maybes we should ask the RFU if there is any new regulation we need to follow for ball wiping!
Game started with more kicking from both sides. Kicks without purpose or strategic advantage. Passing along the line was indifferent with the pass being dropped or going to the floor. Both sides were endeavouring to open but it just wasn’t happening. Frustrations boiled over with Eddie Saint and the Durham inside centre having a minor rumble around the collars of each other’s shirt. Closely followed with Charley Miller being roughed up on the floor. Mind the young player gave as good as he got.
A 'no arms' tackle felled Kieran Sutherland and did him injury. Although penalised there was an argument for more. It was niggley and neither side were threatening anything. We even failed to take advantage of a penalty advantage in front, losing the ball when we elected to take a line out instead of taking the kick. We needed a moment.
That moment arrived from the hands and swift feet of Jonny Dubois. As the game progressed the player became more influential. Correctly anticipating another slow pass along the line, Dubois strode into the throw. Gathering the ball he fended off, leaned left and right snaking his hips through 4 defenders before showing a clean pair of heels to score behind. There was even a shout of ‘Forest’. All of that from the half way line. An impressive effort. Conversion missed. The shot being dragged across the face of the posts. Park ahead by 1 with 20 minutes to go.
The score raised spirits and our next attack had aggression and good lines. Hands in produced the penalty. This time ‘bang under’ the posts. Taken (albeit only just).11points to 7 and Percy Parks prowling Coach Ash Smith used the word ‘kick and anxiety’ in the one sentence. Still we were starting to smile. Game on or so we thought.
A deliberate block by Eddie Saint and with Dan Shuttleworth being caught offside, we were under pressure. Durham did well in sustaining their threat. From an attacking line out they manufactured an angled run from their rangey 8. On the try line the player took the ball into the heart of our forwards. There he met Sam Digman and Jake Smith ably assisted by Eddie Saint. The player was held up and Durham weren’t as pleased as Jake Smith was. His shout of glee heard by strolling couples next to Whitley Bay lighthouse. A great piece of defensive work.
If we thought that was good what came next took the roof off the clubhouse. Moments before Sam McDonald took a blow to the throat whilst attempting to tackle. He did not leave the field returning to his position on the wing. The game continued with a line out to Park. Leo Caulfield was beaten to the jump and Durham moved the ball to their strike runner. On this occasion the passing was fluid and their 11 found himself in space. Streaking along club side he outpaced his opposite number. Enter young McDonald. Sensing the danger the player came off the stand side wing and raced across the pitch, meeting the Durham City player about the midriff. The tackle taking player and ball into touch, all thoughts of a damaged windpipe forgotten. A great moment. With the scoring opportunity not taken the faithful started to believe that we could take the game. Minutes were left. All we had to do was exit from the lineout.
With the throw won Toby Davison elected to put boot to ball. The kick had distance and we came up. The kick was in the middle and gathered by the advancing Durham full back. His momentum took him through our defensive line and a step lost the first covering tackle. The second was made but not before the offload to a supporting player. The score made under the posts. The blow was devastating to all in black and white. Player and supporters had hands on head. As the kick was taken (and converted) there was less than one minute on the clock. Time for a restart. Score at 11 to 14. Three points in it.
Park had to gather to make most of the now called ‘last minute’. On the side lines we hoped. The kick was just ahead of the advancing forwards. Durham got possession but were ‘gathered in’ by our pack. They couldn’t wrestle free and were penalised for holding on. Loud whistle; our shout. We were just outside of the 22 on the stand side. We elected for ‘line over posts’. Toby Davison took his team to the 5. The throw was long to the back. Chris Reekie stood strong and we peeled off. We went to runners and another peel. Unfortunately we didn’t get there in numbers and the Durham defence had read the play. As soon as the carrying player was on the floor they were over and lifted the ball. Penalty Durham. A discussion in field re time. Ball off the field. Line out Durham. Big man up, ball to the back. A short count down. Ball booted off the playing surface. Whistle blown. Game to Durham by 11 points to 14. We looked crestfallen
At the beginning of the game the Percy Park faithful hoped but were realistic in what could be achieved. The fact we came so close was a good effort. Yes we could have managed the game better, yet it was a young and inexperienced side and that discussion is for game analysis and learning. What you can’t fault is the effort and desire to win in a black and white shirt. And those moments were all over the paddock, strongly illustrated by McDonalds tackle, Dubois’s run and try, Combes turn over and that hold up over the line. Back to full strength we will win this type of game and with a weakened Pumas side suffering a narrow loss against a Newcastle University side, all bodes well across the club.
I think we can allow our coaching team buoyant anticipation of what our future could look like.
Representing Percy Park RFC:
From 15: Tom Robinson, Dan Jackson, Nathan Coxon, Ross Young, Kieran Sutherland, Toby Davison and Charley Miller
From 8: Leo Caulfield, Jake Smith, Jonny Dubois, Chris Reekie, Eddie Saint, Sam Digman, Dan Shuttleworth and Aaron Smith
Finishers: Sam McDonald, Niall Combe and Karl Thompson.